Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-18
TO KILLPATTI.
A San Francisco Crank Attempts the
Life of the Great Cantatrice
While on the Stage.
His Crude Bomb Explodes Prematurely,
Hurting Ono but Himsef-A
Panic Narrowly Averted.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, Feb. ia
crank attempted to kill Adelina Patti dur
ing the concert last night at the Grand
opera house by a bomb. The would-be
assassin was the only one injured, though
not seriously, by the premature explo-
sion of the engine of destruction. 1t was
the last night of PATHS season here and
she was given a great ovation, the house
being crowded. At 1920 O'Clock, after
Patti had twice appeared in front of the
curtain in response to recalls, and just as
shehad retired, tremendous explosion
was heard above the applause and cloud
of smoke was seen to rise over the railing
of the top gallery. Instantly every eye in
the audience WAS focused on that pOr-
ton of the house where the exciting scene
was Transporting, and panic was lmmi-
nent. The people in the gallery were
rushing about seeking the quickest means
of exit, and it was only by the self-pos
session of some newspaper men in box,
coupled with that of the diva, that q
stampede of the entire house was pre-
vented. The newspaper men quickly per-
ceived that no serious result
had occurred, and that the
danger was over, and communicated
by mods and motions with Patti, who was
still in sight in the flies, to come before
the curtain. She comprehended the stu
alton and came forward quickly and be
gan singing CLONE Sweet Home" This
had a calming effect on the audience, al
though many left to ascertain the cause
and effect of the unexpected interruption
of the performance. The concert was
carried on to the conclusion. As soon as
the location of the trouble could be
learned policeman rushed to the scene
and found q man with badly burned
face and hands moaning with agony and
the remains of an Internal machine about
him. He was placed under arrest, and
was conveyed to the Irving hospital,
where he stated that he had stopped to
pick up his hat and cane and found 8
package under the seat, which he picked
up, and that as he raised it to see what
| it was it exploded. Though badly burned
about the face and hands he received nc
serious injuries. No other person is
known to have Seen hurt. He gave
his name as DR.. James Hodges
dyspepsia specialist, residence No
Central Place. Others, however, gave
Inherent duu uuuOuDJ"UlN COII6CI
version of the affair lady who sal
next to him narrowly escaped injury
She says during the evening he made s
number of remarks which pointed clearly
to the purpose which he later attempted
to carry out. Among the observations
which the lady distinctly remembered
was: patti is singing eXcellently to-
night, but she will never sing
any more" He also was heard to make
uncomplimentary and revengeful allu
sions to j. C. Floyd and family, who
were present in q box. At the Irving
hospital after his wounds were dressed
the Chief of Police attempted to make
him commit himself, but was unsuccess
full He maintained his innocence. The
Chief of Police pronounces him crank
SAN Francisco, CAL, Feb. lO,-Tht
bomb which exploded prematurely in The
hands of crank at the Grand opera house
last night was made of g can filed witt
powder, in the center OF which was bot
tie. The can was wrapped in a piece o
cloth soaked in oil, and it is believed th'
intention was not only to kill Patti anc
those near the stage, but also to set fire tt
the building. 1t was arranged to explode
by q number of friction matches con
nected with fuse inserted in the bottle
The theory is that the fuse burned TO-
| Quickly for the crank.